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[Ranghua (Adenostemma lavenia)]
Taste: Bitter, Pungent. Nature: Cold, Slightly Cold. Toxicity: Toxic.
Indications: Treats Shanghan (Cold Damage), Wen Nue (Warm Malaria); eliminates water retention in the twelve meridians; breaks up accumulations and hard masses; treats Zheng Jia (abdominal masses); clears stagnant pathogenic factors and food retention in the intestines and stomach; expels cold-heat pathogenic factors; promotes urination. Treats cough due to Phlegm-Fluids.
Habitat: Grows in valleys of Xianyang and Zhongmu, Henan.
Harvesting: Flowers are harvested in June and dried in the shade.
Note on Origin: The Zhongmu variety was traditionally transported from the Yellow River area. It resembles Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos) but is extremely fine and white. Due to recent isolation, it is hardly obtainable.
[Verification by Su Jing et al.]: The seedling of this herb resembles HuSui (Coriandrum sativum). The stem has no thorns, and the flowers are small and yellow. Harvested in April and May. It bears no resemblance to Yuanhua.

[Xuanfu Hua (Inulae Flos)]
Taste: Salty, Sweet. Nature: Warm, Slightly Warm; possesses a cooling and purgative property. Toxicity: Slightly Toxic.
Indications: Treats Qi stagnation with fullness under the hypochondrium; palpitations; eliminates water retention; removes cold-heat pathogens between the five Zang organs; tonifies the Middle Jiao and directs rebellious Qi downward. Resolves phlegm nodules in the chest, expectoration resembling glue or lacquer; water retention in the heart and hypochondrium; retained fluids in the Bladder; Wind-Damp Bi syndrome; dead flesh in the skin; excessive eye discharge (Chi); promotes bowel movement; unblocks blood vessels; enhances complexion.
Synonyms: Jinfei Cao, Sheng Shen, Dai Shen.
Root Indication: Treats Feng Wen (Wind-Warmth).
Habitat: Grows in plains and marshes.
Harvesting: Flowers are harvested in May, sun-dried, and processed over twenty days.
Description: Found in low-lying wetlands near trade routes; resembles Chrysanthemum flower but larger. There is another root called "Xuan Gen," sourced from Henan and northern regions, resembling Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong). It is only used for making Xuan Paste and does not enter other prescriptions; it is not the root of Xuanfu Hua.
[Verification by Su Jing et al.]: Xuan Gen is listed in the Superior Grade. Tao Hongjing stated: The seedling resembles Ginger, and the root resembles Gaoliangjiang (Alpinia officinarum) but is finer. This confirms it as Xuan Gen. Currently, varieties arriving from northern countries resemble Xiong and bear no resemblance to Gaoliangjiang.

[Gouwen (Gelsemium elegans)]
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Highly Toxic.
Indications: Treats metal wounds, nipple fissures, sudden onset of evil wind; coughing and reverse flow of Qi; edema; kills Gui Zhu (ghostly pestilence) and Gu poison. Breaks up masses; removes Bi pain in feet and knees; spasticity of limbs; malignant sores and scabies mites; kills birds and beasts.
Synonyms: Ye Ge (Wild Koko). Those that emit green smoke when broken are named Gu Huo.
Usage Note: Extremely hot in nature; not suitable for decoction.
Habitat: Grows in Gouwen Mountain, Qin region.
Harvesting: February and August.
Compatibility: Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) serves as its guide drug; opposes Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix).
Historical Text Reference: The Wufu Jing states that Gouwen is Ye Ge, claiming it hooks the throat upon entry. Others interpret "Wen" as "Wan" (pull), which is forced; they are actually two different substances. Ye Ge refers to the root, resembling Peony (Mudan Pi contextually implied as shape), toxic at source, preventing birds from perching. It is now used in pastes without contraindication.
Description: Gouwen is a distinct herb. Leaves resemble Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma) but stems are purple. Flowers emerge from the center, yellow. Young plants closely resemble Huangjing, hence considered an antidote to life-threatening conditions. Some claim Gouwen is Mao Lang (Ranunculus japonicus). These accounts in the Ben Jing and later texts are inconsistent and undetermined.
Another toxic plant named Yin Ming is red, climbs trees, hangs fruit, grows in mountains/seas, is highly toxic, and causes immediate death upon ingestion.
[Verification by Su Jing et al.]: Ye Ge grows south of Guizhou, common in villages. Locals call it Gouwen generally, distinguishing seedling as Gouwen and root as Ye Ge. It is a vine. Suicide cases involve drinking its juice mixed with water, causing death within half a day. However, sheep grazing on its seedlings become fat. This illustrates mutual control in nature, similar to rats gaining weight after eating Badou (Crotonis Fructus). Tao Hongjing’s claim that birds cannot perch on it is false. Fresh Ye Ge has white skin and yellow bone; aged roots resemble Digupi (Lycii Cortex); tender roots resemble Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) from Hanzhong; those with broken nodes are superior. It resembles Baihua Teng root, often confused by the unobservant. Freshly dug specimens have no dusty odor when broken; aged ones emit dust-like odor from pores, similar to Gouqi (Lycii Radix) roots. The text stating "green smoke indicates Gu Huo" is incorrect. Huangjing grows upright with opposite leaves (2 or 4-5), whereas Gouwen is a vine with willow-like leaves. The Bowuzhi states Gouwen leaves resemble Fu Kui, not Huangjing. Mao Lang is hairy; Shilongrui (Batrachium) has no relation to Gouwen. Extensive search in Qinzhong yielded no such plant; thus, previous descriptions were likely fabrications.